Turkey ‘neutralizes’ YPG/PKK terrorist in N.Syria

By Aykut Karadag

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces have “neutralized” a YPG/PKK terrorist in northern Syria, said a statement by the Turkish National Defense Ministry.

“Our commandos, the assurance of peace and safety, have neutralized a PKK/YPG terrorist who attempted to carry out an attack in the [Operation] Euphrates Shield region,” the statement said.

Turkish authorities often use the term “neutralized” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Euphrates Shield (2016) is one of the three successful anti-terror operations that Turkey has launched since 2016 across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents. The other two are Olive Branch (2018) and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk